Japan Airlines Sets Dec. 2 Launch for San Diego-Tokyo Service

Japan Airlines has scheduled a Dec. 2 launch for its previously announced new direct flights between San Diego and Tokyo.

A company statement said the carrier’s U.S. call center began taking reservations on June 13. Starting in December, the airline will fly four times weekly — on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays — between San Diego International and Tokyo’s Narita airport.

The first plane from Japan is scheduled to arrive in San Diego at 9:45 a.m. local time on Dec. 2, and the first departure from Lindbergh Field is scheduled for 11:30 a.m. Flights are being operated by Japan Airlines and marketed by American Airlines, through the carriers’ OneWorld alliance, with more information on the JAL website.

JAL has said the first-ever nonstop service between the two cities is expected to go daily in early 2013. The carrier is using the Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner aircraft, with 42 business class and 144 economy seats.

The economy seats include a 10.6-inch personal TV screen, and the executive class has seats that lie flat for sleeping, the statement said.

Travelers will be able to connect at JAL’s Tokyo hub to other Asia destinations, including Hong Kong, Singapore, Manila and Taipei.